Machine coupling



June 17, 1930.'

J. BIBBY MACHINE COUPL'ING Filed July 19, 1928 /NVENTOQ Patented June17, 19.30

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiCE JAMES BIBBY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND,` ASSIGNOR TTHE FALK CORPORATION, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0FWISCONSIN MACHINE coUrLING Application filed Ju1y19, 1928-, Serial No.293,841, and in Great Britain July 19, -1927.

This invention relates to machine shaft couplings of the kind comprisinggrid-like resilient inter-connecting members the limbs of which bridgeand lie removably in axially directed grooves in the peripheries of thecoupled parts and are surrounded by a casing or shell. In such couplingsit is desirable, particularly at high speeds, to have every part runtruly With one or other of the two shafts so that even if the shafts areor become out of line the coupling as a Whole Will remain dynamicallybalanced. The chief object of the present invention is to ensure thiscondition of Working in machine 1; shaft couplings of the kind referredto.

- With the above object in view the coupling according to the presentinvention consists of shaft-coupling members having axially directedperipheral grooves, grid-like resilient interconnecting means-havingtheir limbs bridging and lying removably in said grooves, and a greaseor oil casing therefor secured entirely to only one of said members sothat even When the shafts are out of e5 alignment the aforesaid parts ofthe coupling cont-inne to runv truly in balance with one or other ofthetwo shafts.

The invention will noW be explained more fully With reference to theaccompanying 3 drawing which illustrates in perspective the embodimentof the invention in a shaft coupling of the kind referred to, such acoupling being described and illustrated in the specification of myprior United States PatentlNo. 1,891,713, and an important featurethereof being the contour of the side walls of the grooves in thecoupling members as fully explained in the aforesaid specifica-1,

tion.

In the constructional form of coupling illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing the two coupling members 1 and 2 keyed to the two shafts (notshown) to be coupled are suitably grooved in the arial direction attheir periphery as at 4 to accommodate the limbs of the grid-like springor springs 3 which merely lie in and bridge said grooves and are notanchored to either ofthe coupling members'. As the springs 3 require tobe lubricatedand kept in position, they are closely enveloped by asuitable casing or shell. As shown, this shell is made in halves 7 and8, although it may be in more parts, with one or more circumferentialjoints. 'Ihe shell halves are jointed together at the 55 circumferentialoint 9 and are held together by the shouldered bolts 5. These bolts mayalso serve to secure the complete shell rigidly to the single couplingmember 1, but are kept clear of the other couplingmember by the holes 6being suiiiciently large to al- 10W for all Want of alignment of thecoupling members.

Instead of the bolts 5 being used to secure the entire shell to thecoupling member l, other short bolts or studs may be provided forholding the half shell 7 to the coupling member 1. In any event theentire shell 7, 8, is carried by the single coupling member 1, andtherefore runs true therewith on its shaft, leaving the other couplingmember 2 to run true on the other shaft.

Moreover, owing to the maintenance of true running of the entire shell7, 8, with the shaft of coupling member 1, the interconnecting springs3-being closely enveloped by the entire shell7, 8also run true with theshaft of coupling member l, and in the event of any departure fromalignso ment the interconnecting springs 3 remain With the entire shelland undergo no radial distortion.

What I claim is 1. A machine shaft coupling comprising aligned shaftcoupling members having axially directed peripheral grooves, grid-likeinter-connecting resilient means having their limbs bridging and lyingremovably in said grooves, comprising two circumferentially jointedhalves enclosing respectively the peripherally grooved portions of theshaft coupling members, and means securing both halves of the;- casingtogether but to only one of the coupling members.

2. A machine shaft coupling comprising aligned shafthcoupling membershaving axially directed peripheral grooves, grid-like inter-connectingresilient means having their limbs bridging and lying removably in said100 grooves, comprising two circumferentially jointed halves enclosingrespectively the pe* ripherally grooved portions of the shaft cou lingmembers, and bolts securing one hal -casing to one shaft coupling memberand extending through enl'trged bolt holes in the other coupling memberto engage the other half-casing, whereby the entire casing is secured toonly one coupling member and permits slight relative movement betweenthe two coupling members.

In testimony whereof I have signed my -name to this specification.

JAMES BIBBY.

